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Day 50 Isaiah 56 56:1 Thus says the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that does this, and the son of man that lays hold on it; that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people. 8 The Lord GOD which gathers the outcasts of Israel says, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. 9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong anywhere, but wanted to fit in and be accepted? Maybe it was the ‘in’ group in school, or work. You felt how alone you were wherever you went, as you saw groups of people always having fun. God told Israel that he would bring the outcasts of Israel home, and he would bring others as well. Nobody would be left out. Everyone would have a place and a name. In the letters to the churches, Jesus told John to write, he said those who listened and overcame the evil one, would be given new names only they would know. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it. As Christians, we look forward to the day when God brings back the outcasts of Israel, when they will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. We look forward to being one body in Jesus Christ, not several factions, intent on separation. We tend to forget that the first Christians were Jews. They were the first missionaries, going into all the world, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who would listen to them. One day, when God brings the tabernacle down to man, every nation, and tribe will gather in Jerusalem, and will praise the name of God with one voice. In that day, his house will be a house of prayer for all people. Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (KJV) God gave Isaiah a picture of what will be when he restores Israel to its rightful place as his chosen people. That picture includes all those who accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord from the moment Jesus went back to heaven after his resurrection. There’s no reason to feel left out any longer. God has gathered and will continue to gather everyone who claims Jesus is Lord. Isn’t it wonderful to be accepted? Let’s pray: Father, thank you for accepting me and gathering me to yourself as your dear child. Help me not to shun those whom you accepted and gathered into the body, knowing we are all one with Jesus as the head. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 9 October 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay